Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has revealed horrifying details after he was caught up in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
The 51-year-old is currently in Australia as part of the BBC’s team covering the ongoing Ashes series which is set recommence in Adelaide next week.
At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in the attack targeting a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said.
Vaughan revealed in a post on X it had been a ‘scary’ experience as he took shelter along with others in the area at the time of the attack.
‘Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary.. Now home safe,’ Vaughan said.
‘But thanks so much to the emergency services and the guy who confronted the terrorist .. thoughts with all who have been affected .. xxx.’
Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said.
The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a press conference: ‘At approximately 6.47 this evening, two individuals began firing on crowded a group of families on Bondi Beach at Archer Park.
‘I very sadly need to report that, as of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed.
‘This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.’
Mr Minns confirmed one of the alleged gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody.
‘Our heart bleeds for Australia’s Jewish community tonight,’ he added. ‘I can only imagine the pain that they’re feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday.
‘It’s a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australia’s Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period.’
Praising the actions of police and members of the public, Mr Minns told the press conference: ‘Tonight, saw extraordinary acts of personal courage and bravery from individuals in our community.
‘And I think it’s worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger.’
Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police said 29 people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers.
‘The condition of those officers and the others transported are serious, but there is a range of conditions,’ Mr Lanyon said.
‘Our thoughts, prayers and love go to all the families and all of those that were involved tonight.
‘We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion, the celebration of Hanukkah, and there was well over a thousand people there when this took place.
‘As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9.36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident.
‘I have also authorised special powers under section Five and section six to ensure that if there is a third offender, and we are currently investigating, that at the moment, we will make sure that we prevent any further activity.
‘I’m incredibly proud of the professionalism of our police and emergency service responders.
‘We will focus to ensure that there is no further threat to the public.’
Mr Lanyon said that ‘several improvised explosive devices have been found’ in a car at Bondi Beach linked to the deceased gunman.
He said: ‘Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices.
‘We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that.’
Mr Lanyon added that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no ‘specific threat’.
He said: ‘What I said is that we are aware of the person. That does not mean there was any specific threat posed by that person.
‘If the police had had intelligence there was a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant action.’
